Diagnosis is real jarring

A 3d concussion for Scalabrine

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff  |  March 2, 2009

Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a third concussion in less than a month.

Scalabrine sustained concussions while defending against Dallas's Dirk Nowitzki Jan. 25 and during a practice session two days later, remaining out until a Feb. 19 visit to Utah. Scalabrine received a blow to the neck during a win over the Nuggets last week and was held out of action, the injury later determined to be a concussion. Scalabrine said he also had concussions while performing for Highline Community College in Washington and against Atlanta last year.

"I just don't know enough about it, I know enough to be scared," coach Doc Rivers said of the concussions. "It's one of those injuries you can't see. I think we are still learning about it in our league and in every league. There's no consistency with the injury - one guy can have 10 and play and another guy one and can't play."

Asked before the Celtics lost, 105-95, to Detroit yesterday if there has been an increase in blows to the head in the league, Rivers replied, "There's more knowledge about it now - think about the old football players who had all those concussions and, unfortunately, you read about it now, them having health problems, severe. I think there is more education."

Stephon Marbury has been savoring his Celtics welcome since arriving Friday morning, reuniting with former teammate Kevin Garnett.

"[Garnett] has been telling me all about playing with the group of guys, how much fun it is," Marbury said before the game. "Basketball is fun again and you can feel that - everything about the organization, everyone is on one page, there are no divisions, everyone is trying to do one thing, win games, win championships.

"Basically Doc said, 'Do what you do, go on the court and play the way you play.' Sometimes you go into a situation and have to try to assert yourself, pretty much try to figure out how you are going to play. He's telling me to be aggressive."

Rivers said Marbury would have been paired with Rajon Rondo in the backcourt had the Pistons' Allen Iverson (stiff back) played. Marbury went scoreless in 12 minutes.

Marbury said he lost weight and gained strength while awaiting a contract settlement with the Knicks. He trained with AIM Sports Management in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and in Runyon Canyon in Hollywood. He weighs 199 pounds, about 11 less than his playing weight with the Knicks.

"When I was playing at that weight, I was still able to play the same style of basketball," Marbury said before the game. "But as I get older I've had to get my weight down, because of injuries, having surgery. It's a lot easier to prepare for games.

"Without [AIM], I wouldn't be able to do what I'm doing now. I did a lot of core balance. I was lifting 100-pound boulders - things I've never done before - swinging sledgehammers, kettlebells. It changed the structure of my body, I lost a lot of weight. This is the strongest I've ever been in my whole career.

Marbury and Mikki Moore will have their first full practice with the team today.

"Just the timing of getting everything down, practice is definitely big for me," Marbury said. "I'm excited about practice [today].

"Conditioning-wise, it's just going to take some time. Basketball-wise with my instincts and just knowing when to pass - I was coming down the court, trying to make a play and I thought I was in my old mindframe. But when I went down to protect the ball, [Detroit's Will Bynum] was already gone."

Captain Paul Pierce said in a television interview he would retire if parted from Rivers. "It's flattering, obviously, I paid him to say that," Rivers said of Pierce. "Let's hope he's here for a long time. Our relationship has grown a lot - he's more than just a player to me now, and that's nice." . . . University of Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun could be reprimanded for a tirade at a freelance journalist, according to leaders of the state general assembley's higher education committee. Calhoun was questioned about his $1.6 million salary, highest among state employees. "I haven't personally seen what he said," said Celtic Ray Allen, who played for Calhoun at UConn. "I know he was defending himself. But salary has nothing to do with coaching that university. He put a lot of great pros in the NBA. He's won a lot of games. In the meantime, they've won a lot of TV games where they brought in a lot of revenue. I think his salary is warranted and nobody should ever question it."

The Celtics are expected to be affiliated with an NBA Development League team in Portland, Maine, next season. "If we just had to go to Portland, Maine, instead of Utah, it would have been a lot easier on us," said Celtic Bill Walker, who performed for the Utah Flash this season. "We would have still been on the East Coast, closer to my surroundings. It wouldn't have been such a culture shock outside of basketball. I would have been closer to home, so getting called back wouldn't have been so bad. You could have still come home and checked on your place. It just makes it that much easier."

Marc J. Spears of the Globe staff contributed to this report